Yesterday was a great day! It was Greyhound Friend's Fall Open House. Mom, dad and I always work the Silent Auction/Raffle table. It is a long day but I enjoy meeting all the other greyhounds. Mom and dad bring my exercise pen for me to stay in since they have to work at the table. I don't mind because I have a safe place to relax. It was a sunny day so mom and dad hung one of my blankets over the pen to provide me with shade. They use clothes pins and clips to keep the blanket over my pen. It works out well. Mom and dad took turns taking me for walks around the fair. Daddy took me to the large enclosed yard for me to run. I really didn't feel like running that much so I just jogged along with daddy. There were lots of great stuff in the auction this year. Mom bought raffle tickets and put my name on them because I am the lucky one in the family! After a short award ceremony, the dog show started. Mom put me in the baldest butt category! I must admit that my butt is a little bald. It is a greyhound trait and lots of us have it. I always have some hair, but this summer I got pretty bald. Mom decided to enter to see how I did. There were 3 of us entered and thankfully I got 3rd place! the boys were balder!! After baldest butt, mom got me into my new costume for the costume contest. Not many dogs entered this year. Usually there are lots of entries. It was only me and a dog dressed as Lady Gaga! I was dressed as a professional athlete (which I was - I am now retired)I wore one of mom's exercise tops and matching pants. Mom's Friend, Jen, sewed a hole for my tail in the shorts and put a velcro strip on the top to make it easy to get on and off. Mom also put my booties on my back feet to look like sneakers and I had ear phones and an Ipod shuffle! The judges couldn't decide so both me and Lady Gaga won first place! I got a blue ribbon and a long yellow stuffed dog! Mom was very proud! After the contest, we went back to the table because it was almost time to draw the winners for the raffle and auction. Mom bought me a few more tickets. Two of the items in the raffle were highly desired! One was a gift basket that had a beautiful Grammy's Jammies fleece jacket, a stuffed gorilla and a bag pf peanut butter crunchies. The other hot item was a blue stuffed greyhound. Lots of the kids wanted the stuffed greyhound. Several people put in between $20 and $40 worth of tickets in JUST the blue dog or the gift basket! I had about 5 tickets in each one. The first prize drawn was a dog collar and leash. I had a couple of tickets in that one but I didn't win it. The second prize drawn was the gift basket. I couldn't believe my ears when they announced that I had won it!! (It was actually daddy doing the announcing!)I got the beautiful jammies! The next prize drawn was the blue dog. Guess what? I won it!!! Louise Coleman runs Greyhound Friends and she was trying to win the blue dog for her granddaughter. She was one of the many who had put a lot of tickets in that prize. Mom asked me if it was OK with me if we gave the blue dog to Louise's granddaughter, Sophie. I said "Yes" because I was happy I won the gift basket. Mom gave the dog to a very startled Sophie and Louise was very grateful. Well, my winning streak just wouldn't stop! I also won a chew toy, a greyhound calendar, and a T-shirt for mom!! I won 5 things in the raffle! Mom and dad couldn't believe it and daddy was a bit embarrassed because he had to keep announcing my name! We finished up with the auction (Mom got out bid on the two items she had bid on- thank goodness!!) Mom and dad talked and decided to buy me 2 lottery tickets since I was on such a lucky streak! After mom and dad brought me back home, they did just that! I couldn't pick the numbers so mom and dad used my birthday and a few other numbers to make up the required amount. My ticket is hanging on my window by my bed where my ribbons are hung. I will find out if I won on Tuesday. If I win I will buy myself a house with a big fenced in yard! Last night and this morning it was cold outside so I got to wear my new jammies. I look good in it. Daddy had taken lots of pictures but last night his computer drive which had the pictured stored crashed! That wasn't so lucky!! I think the pictures are lost. That is OK though because lots of other people took pictures and posted them on Facebook!

On Sunday mom and dad took me somewhere special to cheer me up from loosing Copley. We went to the Pet Rock Festival in Worcester, MA. We got there just as it opened around noon. I knew where we were the minute we arrived in the parking lot. I was so excited! The first dog I saw was a greyhound named Jack! We paid our admission fee and then enjoyed the festival. There were more dogs and people than last year I think. There were also a lot of greyhounds, whippets and Italian greyhounds. We walked around and saw all the booths. Mom got lots of free samples. We found Greyhound Friends booth and I walked right in and made myself at home. My friends Lilly and Star were there. We also saw my friend Fast and his mom. I have done several meet and greets with Fast. Mom and dad also saw lots of people that they knew. Some where from their greyhound circle of friends and others from their vegan groups. This is a festival that celebrates all animals so no meat is served at the food court. Mom and dad were able to have a good lunch. Aunt Carla came with Maya and we walked around the fair a second time with them. One of Mom's Facebook friends received an award for all the work she does for animals. I also met another Greyhound named Alaska. Her dad is also a Facebook friend of mom. We listened to some of the music as well. It was a wonderful day but I was very tired from all the excitement. It was good to lay down in my bed and nap when I got home.

Today I had to say goodbye to the love of my life! Mom and I went for a walk down Winter Street last week. When we got to Copley's house there was a for sale sign in front. We were both shocked! Mom and dad talked to Copley's dad a few days later and he told us that he was taking a new job in Florida. They were leaving in a few days. Mom and dad arranged for me to have a last play date with Copley. Mom told me that after today I would never see him again. Being a dog, I always try to live in the moment. I didn't quite understand what she meant. I could tell something was different though. Copley seemed very stressed out. We had fun running together and we had a very nice time but I could pick up on everyone's sadness.

Copley was different from all my other doggy boyfriends.There was something about him that was special to me. Whenever I saw Copley I went nuts! I would leap and run almost pulling mom or dad's arms out of the sockets! When ever I walked by his house I would look for him. I would even walk up the driveway and whimper. I really loved it when mom and dad took me for a walk with Copley and his mom and dad. When Copley went back inside his house I would pine for him because I didn't want him to leave! I would take a few steps, stop, look back and whimper. I would do this 4 or 5 times as we walked down the street. I have NEVER done this with any other dog. It was true love! I will miss him very much.

Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember.
And when the Day comes, God will call the Greyhound to give
Testament, and God will pass judgment on man.
(Persian Proverb)
Being Isis and a goddess myself, I want to share that with my pup pals.

On Monday I got my costume back. Mom's friend did a good job sewing a hole for my tail on the shorts. She also added some velcro because my waist is smaller than mom's! BOL!!! Mom's friend also fixed the top so it is very easy to get into it. She cut it up the back and added a velcro strip. I just have to put my front legs in the arm holes and mom attaches it in the back. When I first tried it on I was afraid to move. Mom wasn't sure I could walk in it and neither was I. Mom tried to tempt me with a cookie but I just stood there looking at her as if to say "Why??" Mom got a leash and attached it to my collar. I was able to walk just fine. Thankfully I will only have to wear the costume for a short time-until the judges look me over. I hope I win!

Mom and I were going to go for a long walk today but the forecast said heavy rains in the afternoon. The sky didn't look very good so we decided to stay close to home. I am glad we did because it is now raining cats outside and thunder and lightning too!

Mom is a little behind on my diary again. Lets go back to last Monday and we can work our way to the present.

Last Monday one of mom's friends came over. She brought her 7 year old daughter, Anna. I was afraid at first as I am around all human children. Anna was calm and quiet and I was soon very comfortable with her. She really likes animals too and I sensed that. Mom started putting shorts on me and marking where my tail was. Mom's friend is helping to make a new costume for me for Greyhound Friend's next open house. I won last year but I can't wear the same costume this year. I can't tell you what I am going as yet, but I will post pictures after the contest is over. I have a magician's hat with 3 rabbits inside. It is one of my toys that I got for my birthday last year. Anna was having fun putting the hat on my head and covering me up with my blanket. I was very good and just laid there. Mom says my costume is ready but her friend is on vacation this week. I will have a final fitting when she gets back.

On Tuesday I saw Copley! That is always the highlight of my week. I was sniffing around on the ground,looked up and there he was! I did a vertical leap in the air and pulled daddy over to him. We had a nice walk together.

On Friday I saw an old friend-- Vito the pit bull! I haven't seen him in a very long time because he had to have surgery on his legs. He had hurt himself very badly and it has been a long recovery. I didn't recognize him at first- that is how long it has been since I had seen him! One butt sniff, however, and I knew! He was my first friend when I left the race track. He helped give me the confidence to walk with mom and dad on the leash. It was a happy reunion.
Later that same night we had some excitement at our house. Charlie (one of my cat brothers) was laying on daddy's lap. All of a sudden he jumped off and ran into the kitchen and jumped on the center isle. I saw it too and started to bark! It was a tiny mouse! Mom and dad didn't see it because it went under the stove. Charlie caught it! He had it in his mouth. Mom and dad saw the tail sticking out of Charlie's mouth and thought he had killed it. Then mom hear it squeaking. She knew it was still alive and wanted to save it. Mom caught Charlie and tried to make him let go. He finally did and the mouse started running! Then the fun really began. I watched mom, dad, Charlie, Ben and the mouse run all over the house! Charlie and Ben were trying to catch the mouse. Mom was also trying to catch the mouse and trying to keep Ben and Charlie from catching it. Daddy didn't know what to do! Mom was yelling "Get a container." Daddy brought her a plastic container the mushrooms came in!! Mom said "no, glass jar!" Daddy found it in the recycle bin. Mom had the mouse cornered under a table. She put the jar down but the mouse jumped over it and ran back into the living room with Charlie and Ben following. The mouse darted under a bookcase. Mom tried the jar technique again and this time the mouse ran into the jar! It was scared but OK. It was moving fine and there was no blood. Mom and dad let the mouse go outside on the rail trail. Mom said he ran into the leaves. Charlie was mad at mom for the rest of the night!

On Saturday we went to New Hampshire to visit Grampy. It was his birthday. It was also Old Home Weekend in the town where Grampy lives (and mom grew up)They has festivities going on in town so we all took a walk to see them (grampy too). There were a lot of people there and everyone wanted to pet me. Mom and dad had to explain that I was afraid of strange people. I kept hiding behind daddy. I did meet some other dogs which was fun. We went down to the river. There was a band playing music. It was a bit too loud for me. I did dip my paws in the river which felt nice and cool. I tried to drink the water but it didn't taste good. Mom said it was because the river was connecting to the ocean and there was a little bit of salt in the water. Mom met someone she knew from high school. She actually dated the guy. He had a booth and was teaching people to play chess. He promised mom he could teach her in 10 minutes. They talked for a while so I laid down in the shade of the tent. Mom said she would take a chess lesson but wanted to bring me back to grampy's. Mom could tell I was a bit stressed from all the people and activity. I was glad to go back and hang out with grampy. I got to run around in his yard which was fun. Mom went back and got her lesson. Her ex boyfriend gave her a chess set to practice with! When mom and dad went back to the fair they met 3 other greyhounds! One was Panda who had come from Greyhound Friends! Mom and dad took grampy out to dinner but I couldn't go. I stayed home and took a nap. It was an exciting day but I was glad to get back home.

On Saturday, mom, dad and I went to Greyhound Friend's in Hopkington, MA. They were having Greyhound International Day there. Speakers were invited from the USA, Spain, and Ireland to talk about greyhound issues around the world. They have greyhounds in Spain called Galgos. They are not used for racing but for hunting. When a dog is no longer able to hunt well they are hung from trees or just abandoned to fend for themselves. It is terrible! Several rescue groups talked about how they are helping the Galgos. Bernie was a speaker from Ireland. Ireland wanted to sell greyhounds to China to start a racing industry there. There are no animal welfare laws in China and they eat dogs! Mom and I did a protest in Boston last Spring. There were also protests in Ireland as well. The Irish government decided not to sell dogs to China. They are still planning, however, to help set up tracks there. This just means the Chinese will buy dogs from other counties. We still have work to do. In the Midwest they have dogs called Lurchers. These are greyhounds crossed with hunting dogs. Usually they breed the greyhounds with Coonhounds. The idea is to make faster hunting dogs. Once again, many are hung, drowned, shot or abandoned when they can no longer hunt well. My boyfriend, Copley, is a lurcher! He is part ridgeback though.
The event was held outside and it was a hot day. there was a big tent with chairs inside. It was a lot cooler in the shade of the tent and the grass was nice and cool. Mom brought me plenty of water and they also had a swimming pool and other water bowls set up. Other greyhounds came to the event too so I got to socialize. It was a long day but we learned a lot. s nice to know there are so many people wanting to help my breed. I just wish all humans were like that. Sigh!!!

It has been VERY hot the past couple of weeks so I have been spending most of my time in our air conditioned house. I get too hot when it is 90 degrees or higher outside. Mom says I "wilt"! Last Friday it was the hottest day yet! It reached 102 degrees! Auntie Carla invited us to her house for a pool party! I was invited too! Daddy was supposed to have a skating lesson, but he called up his coach and cancelled it. Daddy picked up some corn on the cob on his way home from work so we could bring it to the party. I was SO happy to go to Aunt Carla's house. It was good to see Gil. GT was in the bedroom because he is still afraid of most people. Mom went in to see him and say "Hi". Mom and dad made me stay in the house at first. They were helping Aunt Carla with the food and was afraid I would go swimming before they got their bathing suits on. Daddy got ready and told mom that she could let me out when he got close to the pool. All I really wanted to do was run! And I did!! Even though it was very hot out, I still had a really good run. Mom and dad got in the pool but I decided not to. I almost did a couple of times but after what happened at Gates pond, I realized I'm not a Golden Retriever! More and more people came- with dogs! Most of the dogs were Italian Greyhounds. There must have been at least 10 of them! Then there was me and Gil and one other dog who was not in the greyhound family. I was very social and greeted a lot of people( including Aunt Carla's mother who doesn't like animals!). It was fun! One of the Italian Greyhounds kept stealing food off the table! She pulled down a whole skewer of meat! She ended up back on her leash. I knew not to do that. I was very good. We stayed for several hours and it finally cooled off. It got dark and mom was getting attacked by bugs so we had to leave! She even put bug spray on but it didn't help. Her legs are still covered in bites. Of course I wanted to stay! I always do!! I know I will get invited back again soon.

I hope all of my pup pals had a fun and safe 4th Of July. I hope the fireworks didn't scare you. I don't like the noise but I don't get scared. Mom and dad are happy about that.

Sunday we all went to a big outdoor picnic/potluck. It was held by the Boston Vegetarian Society. It was at the same place it was last year. The best thing was that dogs were invited too! Mom and dad brought my pen so that I would feel safe with all the activity going on. I like having my own safe place. Mom brought me some dog cookies so I could have something to eat too. There were about 80 people that came and about 10 other dogs. Some of them I recognized from before. Mom and dad took me for several walks because I am very good at not going in my pen. One time we walked down the street to a dirt path that led to the water. Mom told me it was part of the Charles River. It was nice. On our way back, however, some people were playing basket ball in the front yard. The ball bounced close to me and I got really scared by it. I was happy to get back to my pen. I tried to dig a hole in the dirt but mom kept telling me "no". I was a bit confused by that. At home in my yard I can dig wherever I want to. I like digging into the dirt because it is cooler. Mom told me that because the yard belonged to someone else, that I shouldn't dig it up. We there all afternoon and I made friends with some of the people there. A man named Joe gave me a massage. I know Joe. He has come to our house before to watch movies. He always hangs out with me. The massage felt really good!

On Sunday we went to visit Cloa's Ark Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary is run by Patrick and Claudine. At first we had to stop at Patrick's house so that daddy could help him with the computer. Mom put my muzzle on and at first I didn't know why. Patrick and Claudine have rabbits and birds in their house. One rabbit was loose in the living room. Mom and dad wanted to make sure the rabbit was safe. I didn't see it at first but when I did, I could look at nothing else! I sniffed it and it hopped away. I wanted SO badly to get that rabbit. I stared at him the whole time we were there. Mom and dad kept me on a short leash. I was so mesmerized by the bunny that I forgot I had my muzzle on! When it came time to leave, I tried to go back to the house- where the rabbit was. Mom and dad suspected I would react that way. I am just too hard wired to hunt rabbits. Mom had hoped to bring a rabbit to our house one day. Now they don't think it would be a good idea. We left the house and went to the Sanctuary. Claudine was there waiting for us. She went early to feed a baby goat. Daddy set up my pen under a tree so I would have shade. Mom and dad didn't want me to chase the goats because there were several babies there as well as baby geese. Claudine told me I could dig all I wanted too. I made a nice dirt bed. The goats were curious about me and I was curious about them. I touched noses with a sheep. I had a good time and finally forgot about the rabbit. It was a busy but fun weekend. Catching up on my napping now!

The long weekend started on Thursday. I knew something was different when daddy didn't go to work. Mom seemed excited as well. I got an early walk and mom and dad left in the car. They didn't take me with them this time. When they came home they had a human child with them! With a suitcase!! I was a bit horrified! Children have too much chaotic energy. I am very afraid of them. The child seemed calm so I sniffed her. She smelled a little like mom! Mom explained that this was her granddaughter, Davina, who was staying with us for a few days. Things actually went OK. I did well. I was always a little nervous but I let Davina give me treats. I wouldn't do tricks for her, but I did take the treat when offered. Thankfully mom and dad did a lot of activities with her during the day so I got to nap in peace. On Friday, my dog walker, Sarah, took me and her dog, Bella, for a walk along the river. I enjoyed that. I also saw Copley a few times which always makes my day! Davina even walked me a few times. I was always nervous and would keep looking back at her. She was short and kept the leash too low. I kept getting my front legs tangled in it. She did run with me though, which I liked. Davina went home on Monday night and things are now back to normal. Mom took me for a walk down Winter Street and I saw a bunny near Copley's house. I was able to get really close to it- about 6 feet away-before it ran off. I tried to chase it but mom pulled me back. I could have caught it if it wasn't for the darn leash! Mom says this weekend I will be going to a 4th of July picnic.

Sunday was Father's Day. Mom, dad and I drove to NH to visit Grampy. He is doing very well. The drive doesn't seem very long anymore. Not since I rode all the way to Gettysburg. It was a beautiful day so we all spent our time on Grampy's porch. Daddy opened the doors to the garage and the back yard so I could come in and out as I pleased. The porch and the garage are connected so I can walk from the porch, through the garage and into the back yard! I like that. I still wanted either mom or dad to come with me though. Mom and dad took grampy out to eat. Once again,I wasn't allowed to go. I stayed on the porch. It was OK. Mom and dad weren't gone very long and they had a nice dinner. I had a good run in grampy's yard. It was a fun day.

Mom had entered my picture in a photo contest a couple of weeks ago. Daddy entered a picture of Charlie. Mom just got a phone call a few minutes ago. I won! My picture is going to be framed for free and hung in the store window for a couple of months. That means a lot of people will see my picture! Mom and dad want me to buy something called a lottery ticket! They say I am very lucky. Even though I never won a race, I guess I am pretty lucky.I have a wonderful life now. Mom said that if I had won races, the people who owned me at the track would probably have used me for breeding after I broke my foot. So I guess I was lucky not winning races after all!